Load bearing wall formwork system and method

Abstract

A load bearing wall formwork system and method are disclosed. The load bearing wall formwork system comprises a unique clip assembly for joining two or more substantially planar structures, such as a wall panel, in a spaced apart manner and providing a space there between for placement of a flowable material. The clip assembly comprises a first clip member having a first side for attachment to the wall panel, a second side and an opening positioned between the first and second sides, as well as a second clip member, engageable with the first clip member, having a first side for attachment to a second wall panel, a second side and an opening positioned between the first and second sides. The openings provided in the first and second clip members are aligned when the clip members are engaged. A connecting member is insertable into the aligned openings of the first and second clip members, connecting the first and second clip members together. A wall formed by the foregoing components and a method of assembling a wall formwork are also disclosed.

We claim: 
     
       1. A formwork section for a load bearing wall structure comprising:
 a first wall panel and a second wall panel for assembly in the wall structure; 
 a first C-shaped clip member attached to the first wall panel, the first clip member having a longitudinal attachment to the first wall panel with a pair of substantially parallel and planar engagement therefrom and having a first pair of spaced, opposed openings defined therein; 
 a second C-shaped clip member attached to the second wall panel, the second clip member having a longitudinal attachment to the second wall panel with a pair of substantially parallel and planar engagement arms extending therefrom and having a second pair of spaced, opposed openings defined therein, the second clip member being engaged with the first clip member so as to align the first pair of spaced, opposed openings of the first clip member and the second pair of spaced, opposed openings of the second clip member along an insertion axis; and 
 an elongated connecting member connecting the first and second clip members by insertion along the insertion axis and through the aligned first and second pairs of spaced, opposed openings in the first and second clip members. 
 
     
     
       2. The formwork section of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting member comprises a rod and the insertion axis is substantially vertical. 
     
     
       3. The formwork section of  claim 1 , further comprising hoisting bar assemblies coupled to each of the first and second wall panels. 
     
     
       4. The formwork section of  claim 1 , further comprising concrete between the first and second wall panels. 
     
     
       5. The formwork section of  claim 1 , wherein the wall panels comprise fiberboard. 
     
     
       6. A wall comprising:
 a first panel and a second panel for assembly in the wall; 
 a first C-shaped clip member attached to the first panel, the first clip member having a pair of longitudinal attachment members attached to a face of the first panel, with a first engaging arm and a second substantially parallel engaging arm extending therefrom, each first clip member arm further comprising an opening to form a first pair of spaced, opposed openings; 
 a second C-shaped clip member attached to the second panel, the second clip member having a pair of longitudinal attachment members attached to a face of the second panel, with a first engaging arm and a second substantially parallel engaging arm extending therefrom, each second clip member arm further comprising an opening to form a second pair of spaced, opposed openings, the second clip member being engaged with the first clip member, wherein the first pair of spaced, opposed openings on the first clip member and the second pair of spaced, opposed openings on the second clip member are aligned along an insertion axis; 
 an elongated connecting member positioned by insertion along the insertion axis of the aligned first and second spaced, opposed pairs of openings on the first and second clip members; and 
 a flowable building material in a space between the first panel and the second panel. 
 
     
     
       7. The wall of  claim 6 , wherein the flowable material comprises concrete. 
     
     
       8. The wall of  claim 6 , wherein the flowable material surrounds at least a portion of the clip members and connecting member. 
     
     
       9. The wall of  claim 6 , wherein the connecting member comprises a rod and the insertion axis is substantially vertical. 
     
     
       10. The wall of  claim 6 , wherein the panels comprise at least one of concrete, cement and fiber cement. 
     
     
       11. A formwork section for a load bearing wall structure comprising:
 an assembly for joining first and second wall panels in a spaced apart manner, the assembly comprising: 
 a first C-shaped clip member comprising a longitudinal attachment member for attachment to a face of the first wall panel and a pair of generally parallel and planar engagement arms extending therefrom to define a first pair of spaced, opposed openings; 
 a second C-shaped clip member comprising a longitudinal attachment member for attachment to a face of the second wall panel and a pair of generally parallel and planar engagement arms extending therefrom to define a second pair of spaced, opposed openings; 
 wherein the first and second clip members are configured for engagement such that the first and second pairs of spaced, opposed openings are aligned along an axis; and 
 a connecting element comprising a rod for insertion along the axis and extending through the first and second aligned pairs of spaced, opposed openings. 
 
     
     
       12. The formwork section of  claim 11 , wherein each of the longitudinal attachment members comprises a first longitudinal arm for securing to the face of the respective wall panel and a second longitudinal arm extending therefrom to raise the engagement arms away from the face of the respective wall panel. 
     
     
       13. The formwork section of  claim 12 , wherein each of the first and second clip members comprises two longitudinal attachment members, with two substantially parallel first longitudinal arms for securing to the respective face of the wall panel and two substantially parallel second arms extending therefrom, the engagement arms extending between the two substantially parallel second arms. 
     
     
       14. The formwork section of  claim 12 , wherein the axis extends generally parallel to the first and second substantially parallel arms of the longitudinal attachment members. 
     
     
       15. The clip assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the formwork section comprises a concrete formwork with substantially parallel first and second wall panels defining a space for pouring concrete therebetween. 
     
     
       16. A wall comprising:
 first and second opposed, generally parallel wall panels; 
 a clip assembly comprising first and second C-shaped clip members attached to the first and second wall panels, each of the clip members comprising:
 an attachment comprising a pair of longitudinal members attached to a face of the respective first or second wall panel; 
 an engagement member having first and second substantially parallel planar arms extending from the attachment, each of the aims having an opening to define a pair of substantially aligned spaced openings; 
 
 wherein the C-shaped clip members are opposed with their arms engaged, such that the pairs of openings are aligned along an axis; and 
 an elongate connecting member extending along the axis through the aligned pairs of openings, the connecting member connecting the C-shaped clip members to form the wall comprising the first and second wall panels. 
 
     
     
       17. A structural formwork comprising the wall of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second wall panels are connected by a plurality of the clip assemblies to form the structural formwork with a space therebetween. 
     
     
       18. The structural formwork of  claim 17 , further comprising concrete in the space between the first and second wall panels. 
     
     
       19. A foundation wall comprising the structural formwork of  claim 18 . 
     
     
       20. A formwork section for a load bearing wall structure comprising:
 a panel assembly comprising first and second opposed, spaced, generally parallel wall panels; 
 a clip bracket assembly for assembling the panel assembly, the clip bracket assembly comprising:
 a first C-shaped bracket comprising a longitudinal attachment to a face of the first wall panel and a pair of generally parallel and planar engagement arms extending therefrom to define a first pair of substantially aligned, spaced openings; 
 a second C-shaped bracket comprising a longitudinal attachment to a face of the second wall panel and a pair of generally parallel and planar engagement arms extending therefrom to define a second pair of substantially aligned, spaced openings; and 
 
 a connecting rod extending along an axis through the first and second pairs of substantially aligned, spaced openings, wherein the first and second pairs of openings are substantially aligned along the axis. 
 
     
     
       21. The formwork section of  claim 20 , wherein each of the longitudinal attachments comprises two substantially parallel longitudinal members secured to the face of the respective wall panel, such that the pairs of engagement arms extend therebetween for engagement between the spaced wall panels. 
     
     
       22. The formwork section of  claim 21 , wherein the pairs of engagement arms are spaced from the face of the respective wall panel by the substantially parallel longitudinal members. 
     
     
       23. The formwork section of  21 , wherein the axis through the first and second pairs of openings is substantially aligned along the two longitudinal members.